the reveal ...

Oh how I wish these pictures did the canvases justice. A couple of my photos turned out blurry, I don't know why - and I don't have the time to make them perfect. So, if you want to see them in all their rich colorful glory you'll have to come to the opening reception on Saturday, June 7th at the Galaxie! I decided to do a series, partially because I didn't have the time to think up three totally original ideas and partially because I liked the idea of designing them to go together. So, here they are! (Edit: I wanted to mention too that I consider these mixed media. I used acrylics, collage, several of my own hand carved stamps, and my own doodle drawings in these. AND if you want to see the picture bigger, to see more detail, you can click on the image and it will open the bigger picture in a larger window.)

This is my personal favorite of the three. I used the words "Art Journey" because I feel like that's what I'm currently on. I wanted to express that life is a journey, that the time is now to address it, not waiting for the future when it's more convenient, or remaining paralyzed by the past, but living the journey now. I added the clock to represent time and the fact that the clock is ticking ... step into your journey now, do it with passion, and do what you love. I used the quote by Edward Hopper, "Great art is the outward expression of an inner life in the artist." So true. There really is an inner life that can only be expressed by the artist through their chosen medium be it visual art, dance, music, acting, gardening, writing, whatever. It seems to me only those who use outside outlets for self expression really understand the depth of this quote. Perhaps everyone should find their personal outlet of self expression. I believe it lies in what you love to do, your gifts.

This one is a variation of my original thought when I first got started. The butterflies were all originally going to be the same with the exception of the last butterfly. However, I decided we all really aren't cookie cutters of each other ... we're all a little different. I wanted to make a statement with "Be yourself"and indicate somehow that when you choose to be yourself, you are naturally beautiful.

This one was my last to complete. Short on time, but needing to have a complete set of three. I used one of my favorite quotes, again speaking of a deeper place from which my thoughts and feelings and inspirations come from. This one is by H. Jackson Brown, "Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eyes." I love that. The words in the scrolls at the bottom all describe things that the heart perceives in greater depth than the physical eye can see.

All of these came out so rich and full of life. These things always look better in person. I'm so pleased with their outcome. We have the option of putting a price on our pieces in case someone is interested in purchasing them. I've decided not to. I want to keep these as a token of my very first art show ever. (Not to mention they look awesome at the end of my hallway!) This has been quite an experience. I can't wait to be a participant in this show and attend the reception as one of the artists! All because of a generous gift - thank you for this life experience my far away friend.